We took a couple of beach days in Florida before heading in to the Carolinas. We ended up having more trailer problems as we pulled in to Wilmington, NC.
As we stopped for petrol and were just passing through when upon routine inspection of the trailer, we discovered things were not well. The wheel bearing on the other wheel had burned up so we hobbled our rig over to the Walmart and set up for the night.
The next day, a Saturday, Jared got to work tearing off the and blow torching his way into the mechanics of the wheel. He was pretty dirty and sweaty by the mid- afternoon on this very hot & humid North Carolina day when a well-manicured, older woman peered down at him working under the trailer. She asked in her sweet North Carolina accent "do you need any help?" I'm sure Jared looking up at her wondered what she could possibly do to help? He replied that he thought he'd about got it. She didn't think so and actually Jared didn't either, with his little family wondering around the Walmart trying to stay cool and hydrated. Well, Geneil (that's her name) had a secret weapon and that was her husband J.M. Caton. Caitlin and the boys came back from terrorizing Walmart to find Jared talking and making a plan for how to get us back on the road with J.M. and his friend Jim Smith and their wives. The Smith's would take us in and Geneil would go back to her house to unpack from the 2 month road trip they had just pulled in from (literally) while J.M. would stay with Jared and work on the trailer.
Myself and the boys were whisked away to a comfortable country home with air conditioning and cable t.v. while Jared and J.M. spent the whole day in the blazing heat, driving around for parts and taking the axle off the trailer. J.M. knew everyone in town or at least their grandpappy it seemed and at 2AM after the rig was finally ready to go after the Catons and Smiths had already given us their day and dinner and shelter we were invited to spend the night in the comfort of a home. We spent a very nice sabbath day at the Long Leaf Southern Baptist church with the Caton family. We thought that maybe our journey was over in NC except angels came along and showed Christlike love and care. Thank you Catons and Smiths of Wilmington, NC!
Jared: This was just about the longest day of my life. I was feeling so down with the trailer needing major work and just didn't know what to do. J.M. was a dad to me on this day when my real dad could not be present and I think that we will be lifelong friends.
